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Lighting Design Dilemma Kitchens

help with outdoor lighting? (mixing light styles?)

5 years ago

I'm having some issues choosing outdoor lights/wall sconces. Should they all match?

I basically have:

Front of house:

Both sides of garage

Both sides of entry door

Back of house patio (concrete patio that runs almost full length of house)

Both sides of 12' sliding door (this section is covered and will have a ceiling fan/light type of setup eventually)

Both sides of master bedroom slider (this section is uncovered and has a hot tub

Sides of the house:

One light on side of man door to garage

two lights on side of the house (flood/motion?)

My budget isn't the best, i really need to keep it under $50 a light. Can i mix lights or should i try to keep them all the same?

I like these for the front doors and garage doors but they dont really provide much light for the patio/sides of house. It provides a light facing down as not . much fill light is needed.

i feel like this sort of style would work better for the back patio but obviously the styles are quite different. i like that it emits more of an outward light that would make the patio space more usable? looking for any input and ideas

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Comments (5)

N Levine
5 years ago
Hello Ahreno,

You mentioned that budget is an issue (as it is for most of us). Is there a reason that you want to have so many pairs of lights? Maybe in some places a single light is enough and would allow you to save some money. Many companies offer collections so you can purchase larger or smaller lights based on the location.

The two styles of lights you suggest look very contemporary. Will this contemporary look be the best for your home’s style, or might a transitional style work and not look dated in 10 years?

Be sure to think about where switches will be placed. Will you need to cross an outdoor space to get from the garage into the house? If so, be sure you have a switch at both the garage and inside the back door.

Useful options for lighting is motion sensors and dusk to dawn settings so you can set and forget turning them on and off daily. This is especially nice if you want to light the front and maybe a rear entrance to the property.

Good luck - all the decisions can be overwhelming, and the choices too!
ahreno
Original Author
5 years ago
everything is already wired. I'll look into transitional. I've never seen a set of lights in my search so far though.
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ahreno
Original Author
5 years ago
I'm also in California and have to (should) do dark sky approved lights which makes my selection pool even smaller
George Vance
5 years ago
I think that when it comes to outdoor lighting—or any lighting for that matter—must safety comes first. It may tapped Brett Brenner, president of the Electrical Safety Foundation International, for the safety measures to consider for your outdoor lighting best.
chiflipper
5 years ago
" they dont really provide much light for the patio/sides of house. It provides a light facing down as not . much fill light is needed"

Contact your nearest "Dark Sky" group for help AND a commercial lighting supply house. Most "light" is wasted (illuminates large swaths) as opposed to directing / containing the light where you want it. Do it right the first time, you AND your neighbors will be happy with the result.

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